Are You Being Adventurous?

A big part of the work I do with my clients involves helping them encourage their kids to become adventurous eaters. Teaching their kids to be willing to try new foods. Teaching their kids to take just two bites of every new item served before making a decision about whether or not they like it.

But what about us, as parents? Are we adventurous in our food choices? Not in regards to what we eat (although that is an important question as well), but adventurous in the meals we prepare for our families?

I was shopping with a client at a local health food store this week, talking about some of my quick and easy, go-to meals that I turn to on our busiest days. We talked about several different options and I watched as she added some of the items to her basket.

I received an email from her last night. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it turns out she had been skeptical about one of the ideas I’d suggested, but had gone ahead and placed the items in her basket anyway. And she was emailing me to tell me that the meal was a huge hit with her kids.

I had to laugh, because we’ve all done it. Fallen into the trap of thinking that our kids won’t like something without even giving it a try. And that’s not being very adventurous, is it?

Maybe my client got caught up in the excitement of the moment. Maybe she put that item in her basket out of last minute desperation, knowing she needed something to serve for dinner that evening. But regardless of what inspired her to do it, she went ahead and put that item in her basket. She was adventurous. Her kids loved it. And as a result, she now has a quick and easy meal to include in her menu planning.

Be adventurous in your shopping. In your menu planning. In what YOU eat. Our kids look to us as role models. What we say about food and our attitude toward it makes all the difference. They may not follow the first time, but they are watching. And learning. And thinking about it. And their tastebuds are acquiring a taste for those new foods every time you serve them.

Remember that the key to developing adventurous eaters is to become an adventurous eater, menu planner, and shopper yourself. Be persistent. And trust me, your kids will follow.